Information processing apparatus, method for controlling display, and program therefor

ABSTRACT

When an information processing apparatus detects an operation in which three different points on a displayed image are touched and, while fixing one of the three points, the remaining two points are moved, the information processing apparatus displays side by side the image enlarged or reduced in response to the movement of the two points and the image neither enlarged nor reduced.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatushaving a touch panel, a method for controlling an image displayed on adisplay unit of the information processing apparatus, and a programtherefor.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, apparatuses having a touch panel on their display unitfor displaying an image have been generally used. Such apparatuses areknown to enlarge a display image through touch panel operations such asopening two fingers held in contact with the touch panel (a pinch-outoperation), or quickly tapping twice (a double-tap operation).

However, when a user enlarges a part of an image displayed on the touchpanel, an edge portion of the image disappears from the display area.Therefore, if the user wants to see again the portion of the image whichhas once disappeared from the display area, the user needs to performoperations such as reducing the enlarged image to the original size, orsliding the enlarged image to display the target portion of the image.

To improve the convenience of such operations, a technique for switchingbetween an enlarged image and an original size image by inputting auser's gesture to a touch panel has been devised (refer to JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-122444).

According to the above-described conventional technique, althoughtroublesome required operations have been reduced to a certain extent,it is not possible to show the user both the enlarged image and theoriginal size image (an image portion the user wants to see) at the sametime.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-122444

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to improving the operability of anapparatus having a touch panel.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an informationprocessing apparatus includes a display unit configured to display animage; a touch panel configured to detect a touch of at least threepoints; a detection unit configured to detect an operation in whichthree different points on the image displayed on the display unit aretouched and, while fixing one of the three points, a pinch-out isperformed with the remaining two points; and a display control unitconfigured to, in response to the detection by the detection unit,display on the display unit a first display image which is an enlargedpartial image of the image including at least the center of thepinch-out, and a second display image which is an unenlarged partialimage of the image including at least the one fixed point, wherein thedisplay control unit displays side by side the first display image andthe second display image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an informationprocessing apparatus includes a display unit configured to display animage; a touch panel configured to detect a touch; a detection unitconfigured to detect an operation in which, while fixing one touchedpoint on the image displayed on the display unit, a touch for enlargingthe image is performed; a division unit configured to, in response tothe detection by the detection unit, divide a display screen of thedisplay unit displaying the image into a first screen and a secondscreen; and a display control unit configured to display in the firstscreen a first image enlarged in response to the touch for enlarging theimage, and to display in the second screen a second image which is anunenlarged image including at least the one fixed point.

According to the present invention, the operability of an apparatushaving a touch panel is improved to a further extent.

Further features and aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features,and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an operating environment of aninformation processing apparatus having a touch panel.

FIG. 2 is illustrates a hardware configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed when a touchinput event occurs.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed when the touchinput event is a finger movement.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart illustrating the processing for dividing thescreen into two and displaying an enlarged image on one of the twoscreens.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating the processing for dividing thescreen into two and displaying an enlarged image on one of the twoscreens.

FIG. 5C is a flowchart illustrating the processing for dividing thescreen into two and displaying an enlarged image on one of the twoscreens.

FIG. 5D is a flowchart illustrating the processing for dividing thescreen into two and displaying an enlarged image on one of the twoscreens.

FIG. 6 illustrates a correspondence between actual image data, data onmemory, and display screen.

FIG. 7 illustrates dividing and enlargement on a printing job listscreen.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of assignment of dividing lines and screenidentifiers (IDs).

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a binary tree for managing screen IDs.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an operation achieved in a firstexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing accompanying fingermovement when the number of finger points is not three.

FIG. 12A is a flowchart illustrating the processing for moving adividing line.

FIG. 12B is a flowchart illustrating the processing for moving adividing line.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing for ending screendivision.

FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a state where a dividing line ismoved.

FIG. 15A illustrates examples of states where screen division is ended.

FIG. 15B illustrates examples of states where screen division is ended.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a state where screen division isended.

FIG. 17A illustrates an example of screen management methods when screenID-based screen division is ended.

FIG. 17B illustrates an example of screen management methods when screenID-based screen division is ended.

FIG. 17C illustrates an example of screen management methods when screenID-based screen division is ended.

FIG. 17D illustrates an example of screen management methods when screenID-based screen division is ended.

FIG. 18A illustrates an example of screen management methods when screenID-based screen division is ended.

FIG. 18B illustrates an example of screen management methods when screenID-based screen division is ended.

FIG. 18C illustrates an example of screen management methods when screenID-based screen division is ended.

FIG. 18D illustrates an example of screen management methods when screenID-based screen division is ended.

FIG. 18E illustrates an example of screen management methods when screenID-based screen division is ended.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the inventionwill be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

A first exemplary embodiment will be described below centering onprocessing for an image displayed on an information processing apparatushaving a touch panel.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of operating environment of theinformation processing apparatus having a touch panel according to thepresent exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates a state where aninformation processing apparatus 100 is connected to the Internet 103via a wireless local area network (LAN) connection 105 using a wirelessLAN access point 102. The information processing apparatus 100 iscapable of displaying as a display image an image generated by anyapplication software included in the information processing apparatus100. Alternatively, the information processing apparatus 100 is capableof displaying as a display image an image generated based on any contentdata acquired via the Internet 103.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of theinformation processing apparatus 100 having a touch panel. Hardwaremodules included in the information processing apparatus 100 will bedescribed below.

The information processing apparatus 100 mainly includes a main board(controller board) 200, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 201, a touchpanel 202, and a button device 203.

The main board 200 mainly includes a central processing unit (CPU) 204,an IEEE802.11b module 205, a power controller 206, a display controller207, a panel controller 208, a FLASH read-only memory (ROM) 209, and arandom access memory (RAM) 210. These hardware modules 204 to 210 areconnected with each other via a bus (not illustrated).

The CPU 204 totally controls each hardware module connected to the bus,and executes a firmware module (a control program) stored in the FLASHROM 209. The RAM 210 functions as a main memory and a work area for theCPU 204, and a memory for storing video image to be displayed on the LCD201.

A display controller (DISPC) 207 transfers to the LCD 201 a video imageloaded into the RAM 210, and performs display control of the LCD 201 inresponse to a request from the CPU 204. As a result, the video image isdisplayed on the LCD 201.

A panel controller (PANELC) 208 controls the touch panel 202 and thebutton device 203 in response to a request from the CPU 204. With thiscontrol, a pressing position of a pointing object such as a positionpressed with a finger or a stylus pen on the touch panel 202, and a keycode of a pressed key on the button device 203 are returned to the CPU204. Pressing position information includes a coordinate value(hereinafter referred to as x coordinate) indicating an absoluteposition of the touch panel 202 in the horizontal direction, and acoordinate value (hereinafter referred to as y coordinates) indicatingan absolute position thereof in the vertical direction. The touch panel202 according to the present exemplary embodiment is capable ofdetecting the pressing of a plurality of points (at least three points).In this case, pieces of position information for the number of pressedpoints is returned to the CPU 204.

The touch panel 202 is integrally configured with the LCD 201. Forexample, the touch panel 202 is configured so that the transmittance oflight may not disturb display of the LCD 201, and attached to an upperlayer of the display surface of the LCD 201. An input coordinate on thetouch panel 202 is associated with a display coordinate on the LCD 201.Thus, a graphical user interface (GUI) is configured such that the userlooks capable of directly operating a screen displayed on the LCD 201.The LCD 201 is not limited to a LCD, and may be a display apparatusemploying any display method.

The power controller 206 is connected with an external power supply (notillustrated) to receive the power. The power controller 206 supplies thepower to the entire information processing apparatus 100 while charginga secondary battery 211 connected to the power controller 206. If thepower is not supplied from the external power supply, the powercontroller 206 supplies the power to the information processingapparatus 100 from the secondary battery 211.

Under control of the CPU 204, the IEEE802.11b module 205 establisheswireless communication with an IEEE802.11b module on other instruments,such as an image forming apparatus (such as a printer), a projector, anda digital camera, to serve as an intermediate of communication with theinformation processing apparatus 100.

The hardware configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 is only an example, andany other hardware modules may be provided. For example, a globalpositioning system (GPS) and various sensors, such an accelerationsensor, a gyro sensor, and an electronic compass may be provided.

The CPU 204 according to the present exemplary embodiment is capable ofdetecting, for example, the following operations and states on the touchpanel 202: touching the touch panel 202 with a finger or pen(hereinafter referred to as “touch-down”), a state where a finger or penis in contact with the touch panel 202 (hereinafter referred to as“touch-on”), moving a finger or pen being held in contact with the touchpanel 202 (hereinafter referred to as “move”), detaching a finger or penfrom the touch panel 202 (hereinafter referred to as “touch-up”), and astate where neither a finger nor a pen is in contact with the touchpanel 202 (hereinafter referred to as “touch-off”).

The above-described operations and coordinates of positions at which afinger or pen contacts the touch panel 202 are notified to the CPU 204via a bus (not illustrated). The CPU 204 determines what operation hasbeen performed on the touch panel 202 based on the notified information.With respect to a move operation, the moving direction of a finger orpen moving on the touch panel 202 can be determined for each of thevertical and horizontal components on the touch panel 202 based on achange in position coordinate.

When the user performs a touch-down, movement over a certain distance,and a touch-up in this order on the touch panel 202, it is assumed thata stroke has been drawn. An operation of quickly drawing a stroke isreferred to as flick. Specifically, a flick is an operation in which theuser quickly moves a finger held in contact with the touch panel 202over a certain distance and then detach the finger therefrom, in otherwords, the user quickly sweeps (or obliquely flips) the surface of thetouch panel 202 with a finger. When the CPU 204 detects a move operationover a predetermined distance or more at a predetermined speed or moreand then detects a touch-up operation, the CPU 204 determines that aflick operation has been made.

When the CPU 204 detects a move operation over a predetermined distanceor more and then detects a touch-on state, the CPU 204 determines that adrag operation has been made. Further, opening two fingers (two pointingobjects) for enlargement is referred to as pinch-out, and closing twofingers (two pointing objects) for reduction is referred to as pinch-in.These operations can also be determined by the CPU 204. The touch panel202 may be of the resistive film type, capacitance type, surfaceacoustic wave type, infrared type, electromagnetic induction type, imagerecognition type, optical sensor type, and other types.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an operation achieved in the presentexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a state where the screen is dividedinto two and an enlarged image is displayed on one of the divisionscreens.

Referring to FIG. 10, for example, an image of a Japanese map isdisplayed in a display screen 1001 of the information processingapparatus 100. In this case, the user wants to enlarge a portion (A)while maintaining the display of the vicinity of a portion (B) in theimage is maintained as it is.

To point a portion to be maintained as it is, the user touches on thevicinity of the portion (B) with a finger 1002. Then, to enlarge theportion (A), the user performs a pinch-out with two fingers on theportion (A) (opens them from a closed state 1003 to an open state 1006).Then, the display screen 1001 is divided into two (top and bottomscreens) by a dividing line 1007, and an enlarged image of the portion(A) is displayed in the top division screen and an image of the vicinityof the portion (B) is displayed in the bottom division screen in thesame size. The enlarged image of the portion (A) is displayed centeringon the center of a pinch-out operation. The center of a pinch-outoperation refers to a midpoint of a line segment connecting two contactpoints of the two fingers which performed a pinch-out on the touch panel202.

In the following descriptions, out of division images, an image enlargedby a pinch-out operation (corresponding to an image 1004 illustrated inFIG. 10) is referred to as an enlarged image, and an image held in thetouch-on state (corresponding to an image 1005 illustrated in FIG. 10)is referred to as a reference image. The enlarged image is an example ofa first display image, and the reference image is an example of a seconddisplay image. The screen displaying the enlarged image is an example ofa first screen, and the screen displaying the reference image is anexample of a second screen.

Division and enlargement processing performed by the informationprocessing apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodimentwill be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 18A to18D. Each step of flowcharts described below according to the presentexemplary embodiment is implemented when the CPU 204 (hardware module)executes a program (software) stored in the ROM 209 of the informationprocessing apparatus 100. However, instead of implementing allprocessing by software, dedicated hardware modules executing similarprocessing or a part thereof may be used to implement the processing ofthe present exemplary embodiment. Although, in the present exemplaryembodiment, a pinch-out operation is used as an enlarging operation, theenlarging operation is not limited thereto, and may be other operationssuch as double-tap (quickly tapping (touching down) the touch panel 202twice) and may be other operations (gestures).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by theinformation processing apparatus 100 when an event related to a touchinput (hereinafter referred to as a touch input event) occurs. Thisflowchart is executed when an application requiring division andenlargement processing is activated, and repeated until the applicationis terminated. Although, in this example, the user touches the touchpanel 202 by using fingers, a stylus pen may also be used.

In step S301, the CPU 204 initializes information about the number offingers touching the touch panel 202 (the number of portions at whichtouch-on is detected) and coordinate information indicating positions ofthese portions. Since these pieces of information are stored in the RAM210, the CPU 204 initializes them in the RAM 210 in step S301. Thecoordinate information includes the above-described x and y coordinates.In the following descriptions, the coordinate information is representedby a notation “p_(n)” where the subscript n indicates the present. Anotation “p_(n-m)” indicates coordinate information stored when an eventoccurred m times before. Coordinate information for a predeterminednumber of events which have occurred is stored in the RAM 210.

In step S302, the CPU 204 determines whether a touch input event occurs.A touch input event is generated by the PANELC 208 when it detects thata user's finger touches the touch panel 202 (touch-down), moves thereon(move), or is detached therefrom (touch-up). When a touch input eventhas occurred (YES in step S302), the processing proceeds to step S303.Otherwise (NO in step S302), the processing returns to step 302 and theCPU 204 waits for the occurrence of a touch input event.

In step S303, the CPU 204 determines whether the touch input event hasoccurred due to a new finger touch (touch-down). Information indicatingwhether the event has occurred due to a new finger touch (informationindicating touch-down), is attached to the touch input event. When thetouch input event of the touch-down occurs (YES in step S303), theprocessing proceeds to step S304. Otherwise (NO in step S303), theprocessing proceeds to step S306.

In step S304, the CPU 204 stores in the RAM 210 coordinate informationfor a position at which the touch-down is detected. The coordinateinformation for the position at which the touch-down is detected isincluded in the touch input event. At this timing, the CPU 204 updatesthe coordinate information already stored in the RAM 210, updates thesubscript n to become the current value, and stores the coordinateinformation in the RAM 210.

In step S305, the CPU 204 increases the number of fingers touching thetouch panel 202 (the number of portions at which touch-on is detected)by a number of detected portions of touch-down. This information isstored in the RAM 210 as described above.

In step S306, the CPU 204 determines whether the touch input event hasoccurred due to finger movement (move). Information indicating whetherthe event has occurred due to finger movement (information indicatingmove) is attached to the touch input event. When the touch input eventwhich has occurred is move (YES in step S306), the processing proceedsto step S307. Otherwise (NO in step S306), the processing proceeds tostep S308.

In step S307, the CPU 204 executes processing accompanying fingermovement. This processing will be described below with reference to FIG.4.

In step S308, the CPU 204 determines whether the touch input event hasoccurred due to finger detachment from the touch panel 202 (touch-up).Information indicating whether the event has occurred due to fingerdetachment from the touch panel 202 (information indicating touch-up) isattached to the touch input event. When the touch input event which hasoccurred is a touch-up (YES in step S308), the processing proceeds tostep S309. Otherwise (NO in step S308), the processing returns to stepS302 and the CPU 204 waits for the occurrence of a touch input event.

In step S309, the CPU 204 decreases the number of fingers touching thetouch panel 202 (the number of portions at which touch-on is detected)stored in the RAM 210, by a number of detected portions of touch-up.

Upon completion of processing of steps S305, S307, and S309, theprocessing returns to step S302 and the CPU 204 waits for the occurrenceof a touch input event.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by theinformation processing apparatus 100 when the touch input event hasoccurred due to finger movement (move). This flowchart is executed instep S307 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 3.

In step S401, the CPU 204 acquires the number of fingers currentlytouching the touch panel 202 (the number of portions at which touch-onis detected) from the RAM 210, and determines the number of fingerstouching the touch panel 202 is three. When the number of fingerstouching the touch panel 202 is three (YES in step S401), the processingproceeds to step S402. Otherwise (NO in step S401), the processingproceeds to step S409. Coordinate information when the number of fingerstouching the touch panel 202 is three is defined as p_(n), q_(n), andr_(n).

In step S402, the CPU 204 determines whether the three points (p_(n),q_(n), and r_(n)) exist in the same screen. When the three points existin the same screen (YES in step S402), the processing proceeds to stepS403. Otherwise (NO in step S402), the processing proceeds to step S408.The same screen refers to one screen which is not divided by a dividingline (described below). The CPU 204 is capable of determining whetherthe three points (p_(n), q_(n), and r_(n)) exist in the same screenbased on the coordinate information for the three points (p_(n), q_(n),and r_(n)) stored in the RAM 210 and information about screen IDs(described below).

In step S403, the CPU 204 determines whether only one out of the threepoints remains unmoved, i.e., whether two out of the three points havebeen moved. When only one out of the three points remains unmoved (YESin step S403), the processing proceeds to step S404. Otherwise (NO instep S403), the processing proceeds to step S407. In the followingdescriptions, when only one out of the three points remains unmoved,coordinate information for the one point is indicated by r_(n). Thecoordinate information r_(n) corresponds to a contact point of thefinger 1002 pointing the reference image described with reference toFIG. 10.

In step S404, the CPU 204 determines whether the movement of twofingers, i.e., whether the movement of the points p_(n) and q_(n), is apinch-out. When the movement is a pinch-out (YES in step S404), theprocessing proceeds to step S405. Otherwise (NO in step S404), theprocessing moves to step S406. To determine whether the movement is apinch-out, it is necessary to check whether the distance between the twopoints (p_(n), q_(n)) changes before and after the event by using thefollowing formula (1).

|p _(n) −q _(n) |>|p _(n-1) −q _(n-1)| (n indicates the present)  (1)

where (p_(n-1), q_(n-1)) indicates coordinate information for the twopoints before the event, and is stored in the RAM 210.

In step S405, the CPU 204 executes processing for dividing the screeninto two and displaying an enlarged image in one of the two divisionscreens. This processing will be described below with reference to theflowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5D.

In step S406, the CPU 204 executes predetermined processing in responseto operations of the movement of two fingers other than the pinch-outoperation. Detailed descriptions about predetermined processing will beomitted. However, when a pinch-in is performed, the CPU 204 may executereverse processing of step S405, i.e., processing for dividing thescreen into two and displaying a reduced image in one of the twodivision screens.

In step S407, the CPU 204 executes processing for a case where one orthree out of the three points have been moved. Since processing in thiscase is not directly related to the present invention, detaileddescriptions will be omitted.

In step S408, the CPU 204 executes processing for a case where threepoints do not exist in the same screen. In this case, the CPU 204 mayexecute processing for a case where one or two points are touched inrespective screens, or execute no operation. Since processing in thiscase is not directly related to the present invention, detaileddescriptions will be omitted.

In step S409, the CPU 204 executes processing accompanying fingermovement in a case where the number of fingers touching the touch panel202 is not three, i.e., when the number of fingers touching the touchpanel 202 is one, two, four, or more. This processing will be describedin details below with reference to FIG. 11.

FIGS. 5A to 5D are flowcharts illustrating processing performed by theinformation processing apparatus 100 to divide the screen into two anddisplay an enlarged image in one of the two division screens. Thisflowchart is executed in step S405 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG.4.

In step S501, the CPU 204 executes processing for dividing a screencontaining the three points (p_(n), q_(n), and r_(n)). FIG. 5B is aflowchart illustrating processing for dividing the screen containing thethree points.

In step S511, the CPU 204 acquires from the RAM 210 a screen ID of thescreen containing the three points.

Screen ID and dividing lines will be described below with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9.

Display screen division is performed in the present exemplaryembodiment. Each screen before and after the screen division is given aunique screen ID. Each screen is divided by a dividing line. Dividinglines 801 to 804 are illustrated in FIG. 8. Dividing lines 805 to 813illustrate how a screen ID is sequentially assigned to each divisionscreen. For example, when a screen 805 having a screen ID 0 is dividedinto two, a dividing line 801 is displayed so that it passes midpointsof long edges of the screen 805 having the screen ID 0. As a result, thescreen 805 is divided into a screen 806 having a screen ID 1 and ascreen 807 having a screen ID 2. In this case, the screen ID 0 ismanaged as a parent ID of the screen ID 1 and the screen ID 2. Each ofthe screens given a screen ID is managed as a single screen on a screenID basis, and can be further divided. For example, assuming that thescreen ID 1 is a parent ID, the screen 806 having the screen ID 1 can bedivided into a screen 808 having a screen ID 3 and a screen 809 having ascreen ID 4.

The screen ID child-parent relation is managed as a binary treestructure as illustrated in FIG. 9, and relevant data is stored in theRAM 210. The binary tree illustrated in FIG. 9 corresponds to an exampleof screen division illustrated in FIG. 8.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, it is defined that screen divisionis performed at midpoints of long edges. In addition, if the screenorientation (vertical or horizontal) can be known by using anacceleration sensor, it is possible to certainly perform screen divisioneither in the vertical direction or at midpoints of short edges.Further, it is also possible to manage the dividing direction based on aplurality of division modes such as a mode in which screen division isperformed at midpoints of long edges, a mode in which screen division isperformed at midpoints of short edges, and a mode in which anacceleration sensor is used in the dividing direction, and to allow theuser to select a desired division mode. Further, the above-describedprocessing is only an example, and the processing is not limited toscreen division at midpoints.

The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5B will be described below again. Instep S513, the CPU 204 divides the screen at midpoints of long edges (orshort edges) of the screen containing the three points.

In step S514, the CPU 204 assigns a screen ID to each of the divisionscreens assuming the screen ID of the original screen as a parent ID. Tosimplify descriptions, descriptions will be made centering on a casewhere the screen 805 having the screen ID 0 illustrated in FIG. 8 isdivided into the screen 806 having the screen ID 1 and the screen 807having the screen ID 2.

In step S515, the CPU 204 displays a dividing line.

The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5A will be described below again. Instep S502, the CPU 204 generates a reference image containing a pointr_(n) which has not been moved. The reference image is a portioncorresponding to the image 1005 illustrated in FIG. 10. This portioncorresponds to the screen 807 having the screen ID 2 illustrated in FIG.8. An image pre-displayed in an area (an area of the screen 807 havingthe screen ID 2 after screen division) where the finger 1002 exists is areference image. The generated reference image is stored in the RAM 210.

In step S503, the CPU 204 displays the reference image stored in the RAM210 in the division screen containing the point r_(n) (in this example,the screen 807 having the screen ID 2) out of the division screens.

In step S504, the CPU 204 executes processing for enlarging thepinched-out image. This processing is illustrated by the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 5C.

In step S516, the CPU 204 calculates a midpoint of pinch-out. Since amidpoint m_(n) of pinch-out is a midpoint of the coordinate (p_(n),q_(n)) after movement of the coordinate, it is calculated by thefollowing formula (2).

m _(n)=(p _(n) +q _(n))/2  (2)

In step S517, the CPU 204 generates an enlarged image centering on themidpoint m_(n), and temporarily stores it in the RAM 210.

In step S518, the CPU 204 displays the enlarged image stored in the RAM210 in the division screen not containing the point r_(n) (in thisexample, the screen 806 having the screen ID 1) out of the divisionscreens.

Procedures for specifying a reference image and an enlarged image fromactual image data and then storing them in the RAM 210 will be describedbelow with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 illustrates a correspondence between actual image data, data onmemory, and display screen. An area 601 indicates the entire actualimage data and an x-y coordinate set to the actual image. The actualimage data is stored in the RAM 210. A memory area 608 used for imageediting is reserved in the RAM 210. The above-described enlarged imageand reference image are stored once as one piece of image data to bedrawn in the memory area 608. The image data stored in the memory area608 is transferred to a graphic image area (not illustrated) of theDISPC 207, and then drawn on the LCD 201. Referring to FIG. 6,processing will be described in association with the display imageillustrated in FIG. 10.

An area 602 surrounded by dotted lines of a rectangle having four cornercoordinates (X1, Y1), (X2, Y1), (X2, Y2), and (X1, Y2) out of the entireimage 601 is displayed as an enlarged image. The above-describedpinch-out has a center 604. Based on information about the distance ofpinch-out, the CPU 204 determines a magnification and coordinates of thearea 602 to be displayed as an enlarged image. At this timing, the CPU204 recognizes the center 604 of pinch-out as the center of the area602. Then, the CPU 204 generates an enlarged image from the determinedarea, and stores the enlarged image in an area 605 (for storing anenlarged image) included in the memory area 608. The CPU 204 enlarges animage so that the top left corner of the area 605 corresponds to the topleft corner (X1, Y1) of the area 602, and the bottom right corner of thearea 605 corresponds to the bottom right corner (X2, Y2) of the area602.

An area 603 surrounded by dotted lines of a rectangle having four cornercoordinates (0, Y/2), (Y/2, X), (X, Y), and (0, Y) out of the entireimage 601 is displayed as a reference image. The CPU 204 generates areference image from the area 603 containing a point pressed down by thefinger 1002 illustrated in FIG. 10, and stores the reference image in anarea 606 (for storing a reference image) included in the memory area608. The RAM 210 stores coordinate information of the enlarged image andreference image with respect to the entire image. A line 607 indicates adividing line. The memory area 608 is updated each time an eventspecifying the scrolling, zooming, etc. of an image occurs.

The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5A will be described below again.

In step S505, the CPU 204 determines whether a finger is detached from(whether touch-up is detected) at least either one of the three points(p_(n), q_(n), and r_(n)). When a finger is detached (YES in step S505),the processing proceeds to step S522. Otherwise (NO in step S505), theprocessing proceeds to step S506.

In step S522, similar to step S309 illustrated in FIG. 3, the CPU 204reduces the number of fingers touching the touch panel 202 by a numberof detected portions of touch-up. Upon completion of step S522, theprocessing exits the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5A.

In step S506, the CPU 204 determines whether a touch input event (move)meaning finger movement has occurred. If a touch input event hasoccurred (YES in step S506), the processing proceeds to step S507.Otherwise (NO in step S506), the processing returns to step S505.

In step S507, the CPU 204 determines whether at least either one of(p_(n), q_(n)) is contained in the moved point. When at least either oneof (p_(n), q_(n)) is contained (YES in step S507), the processingproceeds to step S508. Otherwise (NO in step S507), the processingproceeds to step S509.

In step S508, the CPU 204 executes processing for enlarging or reducingan image centering on the coordinate of the midpoint of (p_(n), q_(n)).This processing is illustrated in FIG. 5D.

In step S519, similar to step S516, the CPU 204 calculates a midpointm_(n) of the coordinate (p_(n), q_(n)) of a moved finger. m_(n) iscalculated by the above-described formula (2).

In step S520, the CPU 204 determines whether finger movement hasoccurred due to pinch-out, by using the formula (1). When fingermovement has occurred due to pinch-out, the CPU 204 generates anenlarged image centering on the midpoint m_(n). When finger movement hasoccurred due to pinch-in, not pinch-out, the CPU 204 generates a reducedimage centering on the midpoint m_(n). The generated image istemporarily stored in the RAM 210.

In step S521, similar to step S518, the CPU 204 displays in the screen806 having the screen ID 1 the enlarged image or reduced image stored inthe RAM 210. Upon completion of step S508, the processing proceeds tostep S509.

In step S509, the CPU 204 determines whether the point r_(n) iscontained in the moved point. When the point r_(n) is contained in themoved point (YES in step S509), the processing proceeds to step S510.Otherwise (NO in step S509), the processing returns to step S505.

In step S510, the CPU 204 scrolls the image displayed in the screen 807having the screen ID 2 containing the point r_(n) to follow the movementof the point r_(n). Upon completion of this processing, the processingreturns to step S505.

Processing from step S505 to step S510 is executed in loop form, i.e.,the CPU 204 repeats this loop until a finger is detached from at leasteither one of the three points (p_(n), q_(n), and r_(n)). Thus,pinch-out, pinch-in, scrolling, and other operations become possible foreach screen which has been divided and enlarged for image display.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by theinformation processing apparatus 100, accompanying finger movement in acase where the number of fingers which are touching the touch panel 202is not three. This flowchart is executed in step S409 of the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 4.

In step S1101, the CPU 204 determines whether the number of fingerstouching the touch panel 202 (the number of portions at which touch-onis detected) is one. When the number of fingers touching the touch panel202 is one (YES in step S1101), the processing proceeds to step S1102.Otherwise (NO in step S1101), the processing proceeds to step S1105.

In step S1102, the CPU 204 determines whether the touched point is on adividing line in the screen. When the touched point is on a dividingline (YES in step S1102), the processing proceeds to step S1103.Otherwise (NO in step S1102), the processing proceeds to step S1104.When determining whether the point is on a dividing line, the CPU 204does not necessarily make an accurate determination but tolerate acertain shift of the point. Specifically, the CPU 204 may determine thatthe point is on a dividing line as long as a difference between thecoordinate of the dividing line and the coordinate of the point is lessthan a predetermined amount.

In step S1103, the CPU 204 executes processing for moving the dividingline. This processing will be described below with reference to FIGS.12A and 12B.

In step S1104, the CPU 204 executes processing for scrolling the screencontaining the finger which is touching the touch panel 202. Thisprocessing is executed on a division screen basis when screen divisionis made.

In step S1105, the CPU 204 determines whether the number of fingerstouching the touch panel 202 is two. When the number of fingers touchingthe touch panel 202 is two (YES in step S1105), the processing proceedsto step S1106. Otherwise (NO in step S1105), the processing proceeds tostep S1110.

In step S1106, the CPU 204 determines whether the two touched points arestriding over a dividing line. When the two touched points are stridingover a dividing line (YES in step S1106), the processing proceeds tostep S1107. Otherwise (NO in step S1106), the processing proceeds tostep S1109.

In step S1107, the CPU 204 determines whether the detected fingermovement is a pinch-in. When the detected finger movement is a pinch-in(YES in step S1107), the processing proceeds to step S1108. Whendetermining whether the detected finger movement is a pinch-in, theinequality sign in the formula (1) may be reversed. Otherwise, when thedetected finger movement is determined not to be pinch-in, i.e., whenthe detected finger movement is a pinch-out (NO in step S1107), theprocessing exits the flowchart without processing the screen. However,when a pinch-out is performed over a dividing line, the two screenstouched by respective fingers may be scrolled in the same direction ofthe movement of respective fingers.

In step S1108, the CPU 204 executes processing for terminating screendivision. This processing will be described in detail below withreference to FIG. 13. Upon completion of step S1108, the processingexits the flowchart.

In step S1109, out of processing accompanying finger movement when thenumber of fingers touching the touch panel 202 is two, the CPU 204executes the processing in a case where the two touched points are notstriding over a dividing line. Since this is a gesture of regularpinch-out or pinch-in, the CPU 204 executes processing for enlarging orreducing an image. This processing is executed on a division screenbasis when screen division is made.

In step S1110, the CPU 204 executes processing accompanying fingermovement when the number of fingers touching the touch panel 202 islarger than three, i.e., when touch-on is detected at four or morepoints. Since processing in this case is not directly related to thepresent invention, detailed descriptions will be omitted.

Upon completion of processing in steps S1109 and S1110, the processingexits the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are flowchart illustrating processing for moving adividing line performed by the information processing apparatus 100.This flowchart is executed in step S1103 of the flowchart illustrated inFIG. 11.

To simply descriptions, it is assumed that screen division is made asillustrated in FIG. 10, where an enlarged image is displayed in adivision screen having the screen ID 1, a reference image is displayedin a division screen having the screen ID 2, and the parent ID thereofis the screen ID 0.

In step S1201, the CPU 204 executes processing for moving a dividingline. This processing is illustrated by the flowchart illustrated inFIG. 12B.

In step S1207, the CPU 204 calculates a component 1 of the distance offinger movement in a direction perpendicular to the dividing line, byusing the following formula (3).

1=|s _(n) −s _(n-1)|  (3)

where s_(n) indicates coordinate information for a point at which afinger is positioned after it has moved on the dividing line.

In step S1208, the CPU 204 detects a moving direction of the point s_(n)in a direction perpendicular to the dividing line.

In step S1209, the CPU 204 enlarges (or reduces) the display area of theenlarged image displayed on the division screen having the screen ID 1according to the finger's moving direction, generates a new enlargedimage, and instructs the DISPC 207 to display the enlarged image. TheDISPC 207 instructs the LCD 201 to display the enlarged image with theenlarged (reduced) display area.

In step S1210, the CPU 204 reduces (or enlarges) the display area of thereference image displayed on the division screen having the screen ID 2according to the finger's moving direction, and generates a newreference image. Then, the DISPC 207 instructs the LCD 201 to displaythe new reference image similar to the enlarged image.

In step S1211, the CPU 204 moves the dividing line by the component 1 inthe detected moving direction.

Then, the processing returns to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 12A.In step S1202, the CPU 204 determines whether the finger on the dividingline has been detached from the point s_(n), i.e., whether a touch-up isdetected. When the finger has been detached (YES in step S1202), theprocessing exits this flowchart. Otherwise (NO in step S1202), theprocessing proceeds to step S1203.

In step S1203, the CPU 204 determines whether a touch input eventindicating finger movement has occurred. When a touch input eventindicating finger movement has occurred (YES in step S1203), theprocessing proceeds to step S1204. Otherwise (NO in step S1203), theprocessing returns to step S1202.

In step S1204, the CPU 204 determines whether the moved point is thepoint s_(n). When the moved point is the point s_(n) (YES in stepS1204), the processing proceeds to step S1205. Otherwise (NO in stepS1204), the processing returns to step S1202. In step S1205, the CPU 204executes processing for moving the dividing line illustrated in FIG. 5B.Upon completion of the processing in step S1205, the processing returnsto step S1202.

Since the processing in steps S1202 to S1205 is repetitively executeduntil a touch-up is performed at the point s_(n) on the dividing line,the dividing line can be moved following the finger movement on thedividing line.

FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a state where the dividing line ismoved.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, on the information processingapparatus 100, a screen 1402 having the screen ID 1 and a screen 1403having the screen ID 2 are divided by a dividing line 1401. When theuser performs a touch-down on the dividing line 1401 and then slides itin the downward direction with a finger 1407, the dividing line 1401downwardly moves following the finger movement, as illustrated by thedividing line 1408. Accordingly, the display area of a screen 1404having the screen ID 1 displaying the enlarged image is accordinglyenlarged. When the user moves the finger 1407 all the way to the bottom,the enlarged image is displayed in an entire screen 1406 having thescreen ID 1.

Conversely, when the user slides the dividing line 1401 in the upwarddirection, the display area of a screen 1405 having the screen ID 2displaying the reference image is accordingly enlarged. Thus, in thepresent exemplary embodiment, by sliding a dividing line which is aboundary between two division screens, each division screen can beresized.

Processing for terminating screen division will be described below withreference to FIGS. 13, and 15 to 18.

FIG. 16 schematically illustrates a state where a pinch-in is performedon division screens to restore them to the original screen before screendivision. Referring to FIG. 16, out of two division screens, a finger1605 touches on the division screen of an enlarged image 1601, and afinger 1604 touches on the division screen of a reference image 1602.When the user performs a pinch-in with the fingers 1604 and 1605 (bringsthem close to a dividing line 1603), screen division is terminated and adisplay screen 1606 appears displaying the reference image.

When screen division is terminated, there may be a case where the userwants to select one of the enlarged image and the reference image to beretained instead of displaying the image before screen division (thereference image). FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate methods for selecting theenlarged image or the reference image to be displayed in the screenafter termination of screen division. In this case, the user fixeseither finger on the screen when screen division is terminated withpinch-in. When division screens 1501 and 1502 divided by a dividing line1503 are displayed as illustrated in FIG. 15A, if an index finger 1506is fixed and a thumb 1504 is moved in the upward direction, a referenceimage 1502 having the screen ID 2 is displayed on an entire screen 1505after termination of screen division.

Conversely, as illustrated in FIG. 15B, if the thumb 1504 is fixed andthe index finger 1506 is moved in the downward direction, the enlargedimage 1501 having the screen ID 1 is displayed on an entire screen 1507after termination of screen division. Specifically, this method selectsthe image displayed in the screen in which a moved finger was placed, asan image to be displayed after termination of screen division. Incontrast to this processing, it may also be possible to select the imagedisplayed in the screen in which a finger was fixed, as an image to bedisplayed after termination of screen division.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 16 describe processing for terminating screendivision centering on a case where a screen having the screen ID 0 isdivided into a screen having the screen ID 1 displaying an enlargedimage and a screen having the screen ID 2 displaying a reference image.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing for terminating screendivision performed by the information processing apparatus 100. Thisflowchart is executed in step S1108 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG.11.

In step S1301, the CPU 204 acquires screen IDs of each screen containingrelevant two points. In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 15A, 15B, and16, screen IDs of the screens containing the two points are the screenID 1 and the screen ID 2. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 17A to17D, screen IDs of the screens containing the two points are the screenID 3 and a screen ID 6. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 18A to 18E,screen IDs of the screens containing the two points are a screen ID 5and a screen ID 8.

In step S1302, the CPU 204 traces screen IDs of the screens containingthe two acquired points until a common parent screen ID is found, thusidentifying a relevant parent ID. In the case of the examples in FIGS.15A, 15B, and 16, the common parent ID is the screen ID 0. FIGS. 17A to17D and 18A to 18E schematically illustrate how tracing IDs isperformed.

FIGS. 17A to 17D and 18A to 18E schematically illustrate examples ofmethods for managing screens when terminating screen division, based onthe screen ID.

Referring to FIG. 17B, when the CPU 204 traces screen IDs of a node 1704having the screen ID 3 and a node 1705 having the screen ID 6, a node1703 having the screen ID 1 is identified as a common parent node.

Likewise, referring to FIG. 18B, when the CPU 204 traces screen IDs of anode 1805 having the screen ID 5 and a node 1806 having the screen ID 8,a node 1804 having the screen ID 0 is identified as a common parentnode.

In step S1303, the CPU 204 deletes the dividing line which divides thescreen having the parent ID identified in step S1302. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 17A, dividing lines 1701 and 1702 will be deleted.In the example illustrated in FIG. 18B, dividing lines 1801 and 1803will be deleted.

In step S1304, the CPU 204 determines whether the number of moved pointsis one. When the number of moved points is one (YES in step S1304), theprocessing proceeds to step S1305. Otherwise (NO in step S1304), theprocessing moves to step S1306.

In step S1305, the CPU 204 displays the division screen containing themoved point related to the dividing line which divides the screen havingthe parent ID identified in step S1302, in the screen having the parentID. Specifically, FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 18A to 18E correspond to thiscase. Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, the screen 1502 having the screenID 2 or the screen 1501 having the screen ID 1 is displayed in theentire screens 1505 and 1507, respectively, instead of the screen havingthe common parent ID 0. Referring to FIG. 18A, the dividing line 1801dividing the screen having the screen ID 0, and the dividing line 1803dividing the screen having the screen ID 2 are deleted. Of the divisionscreens divided by the dividing line 1801, the screen on which a finger1802 is placed is a screen 1807 having the screen ID 1.

Specifically, since the screens having the screen ID 3, the screen ID 5,and the screen ID 6 will be displayed in the entire screen, it ispreferable to substitute the node 1807 having the screen ID 1 for thenode 1809 having the screen ID 0. FIG. 18C illustrates how they aresubstituted. FIG. 18E illustrates a state of the binary tree after thesubstitution. Thus, screens are displayed as illustrated in FIG. 18D. Inthis case, it is also possible to exchange the vertical and horizontaldirections of the information processing apparatus 100.

Processing in step S1306 is executed when the number of moved points istwo. In step S1306, the CPU 204 displays the screen having the parent IDidentified in step S1302. Specifically, FIGS. 16 and 17A to 17Dcorrespond to this case. In the case illustrated in FIG. 16, the CPU 204displays the screen having the screen ID 0 before screen division.Referring to FIG. 17B, when the CPU 204 traces screen IDs of the node1705 having the screen ID 6 and the node 1704 having the screen ID 3, anode 1703 having the screen ID 1 is identified as a common parent node.Then, as illustrated in FIG. 17D, the CPU 204 deletes nodes placed underthe node having the screen ID 1, and displays the screen having thescreen ID 1. The screen 1706 illustrated in FIG. 17C indicates thatstate.

By repetitively executing the above processing, processing for dividinga screen and displaying an enlarged image in one division screen, andprocessing for restoring division screens to the original screen can beimplemented.

As described above, the present exemplary embodiment enables displayingan enlarged image while holding the display of the original image beforeenlargement, thus the two images can be displayed on a display unit atthe same time. Therefore, the user can check the original image beforeenlargement together with the enlarged image. Since images are displayedin division screens independently of each other, the user can alsoperform further enlargement/reduction and sliding operations for eachimage (enlarged image and reference image). In addition, the user cancombine division screens into one screen (restore division screens tothe original screen) through a pinch-in operation.

The present exemplary embodiment has specifically been described basedon a case where a displayed image is touched on three points and, whilefixing one of the three points, a pinch-out is performed with theremaining two points to enlarge the image. However, instead of thepinch-out operation, a pinch-in operation may be performed to executethe same processing. Specifically, it is also possible that a displayedimage is touched on three points and, while fixing one of the threepoints, a pinch-in is performed with the remaining two points to reducethe image. Also in this case, similar to the present exemplaryembodiment, the screen is divided into a screen displaying a reducedimage (instead of an enlarged image) and a screen displaying a referenceimage. By displaying side by side the reduced image and the originalimage (image in the original size), the user can check information in awide range which is not displayed in the original image.

As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment,operability of display control of images displayed on the display unitof an information processing apparatus having a touch panel can beremarkably improved.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The information processing apparatus according to the present inventionincludes various types of apparatuses, for example, not only personalcomputers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and cellular phones butalso printers, scanners, facsimiles, copying machines, multifunctionperipherals, cameras, video cameras, and other image viewers.

Further, in the above-described first exemplary embodiment, image datasuch as photographic and graphical data is subjected to display controloperations. However, data types applicable to the present invention isnot limited thereto. For example, when an image forming apparatus suchas a digital multifunction peripheral is used as the informationprocessing apparatus 100, similar processing to the above-describedfirst exemplary embodiment is also applicable to a print job list screenfor displaying a list of print jobs operable in the digitalmultifunction peripheral.

If the above-described processing is applied to the job list screen, anenlarged image for displaying detailed information of each job displayedin list form and a reference image displaying the entire list can bedisplayed side by side, allowing the user to view these images at thesame time.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a state where the user touches threedifferent points on the printing job list screen and, while fixing oneof the three points, performs a pinch-out operation with the remainingtwo points. Similar to FIG. 10, in a touch-on state of a finger 701, theuser performs a pinch-out with two fingers 704 on the portion of a printjob 703 (“E.jpg”). As a result, the screen is divided by a dividing line706 as illustrated on the right-hand side of FIG. 7. A division screen705, corresponding to the enlarged image 1004 illustrated in FIG. 10,displays detailed information about print jobs (for example, “E.jpg” and“F.xls”) below the print job 703 to which a pinch-out was applied.

It is also possible that the division screen 705 displays detailedinformation about the print job “E.jpg” touched by two fingers 704 andthe subsequent print jobs are displayed in a list form. The detailedinformation may include thumbnail images, date and time of jobtransmission, user name, and other information. The other screen 707,corresponding to the reference image screen 1005 illustrated in FIG. 10,displays in the original size a job list including the job held by thefinger 701.

In the above-described first exemplary embodiment, when the user touchesthree different points and, while fixing one of the three points, andmoves the remaining two points, the above-described image enlargement(or reduction) and screen division are performed. However, it is alsopossible that the above-described image enlargement (or reduction) andscreen division are performed when the user touches four or moredifferent points and, while fixing one of the four or more points, andmoves the remaining three or more points. In other words, the presentinvention is not limited to a case where three points are touched.

Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of asystem or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out andexecutes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functionsof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method, the steps ofwhich are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory deviceto perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s). For thispurpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via anetwork or from a recording medium of various types serving as thememory device (e.g., computer-readable medium).

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2011-261839, filed Nov. 30, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a display unitconfigured to display an image; a touch panel configured to detect atouch of at least three points; a detection unit configured to detect anoperation in which three different points on the image displayed on thedisplay unit are touched and, while fixing one of the three points, apinch-out is performed with the remaining two points; and a displaycontrol unit configured to, in response to the detection by thedetection unit, display on the display unit a first display image whichis a partial image of the image and is an enlarged partial imageincluding at least the center of the pinch-out, and a second displayimage which is a partial image of the image and is an unenlarged partialimage including at least the one fixed point, wherein the displaycontrol unit displays side by side the first display image and thesecond display image.
 2. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a division unit configured to, inresponse to the detection by the detection unit, divide a display screenof the display unit displaying the image into a first screen fordisplaying the first display image and a second screen for displayingthe second display image, wherein the display control unit displays thefirst and second display images respectively in the first and secondscreens divided by the division unit.
 3. The information processingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein, after a screen is divided bythe division unit, in response to a scroll operation with a touch on thefirst screen, the first display image is scrolled while the seconddisplay image is not.
 4. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein, after a screen is divided by the division unit, inresponse to a pinch-out operation on the first screen, the first displayimage is enlarged while the second display image is not.
 5. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 2, furthercomprising: a changing unit configured to, in response to an operationin which a dividing line indicating a boundary between the first andsecond screens divided by the division unit is touched and slid, changethe sizes of the first screen and the second screen.
 6. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, in response to apinch-in operation with two points touched over a dividing lineindicating a boundary between the first and second screens divided bythe division unit, the display control unit deletes at least either oneof the first screen and the second screen to display one screen.
 7. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, uponexecution of a pinch-in operation while fixing one point on the firstscreen out of the two points touched over a dividing line indicating aboundary between the first and second screens divided by the divisionunit, the display control unit deletes the first screen to display onescreen based on the second screen.
 8. The information processingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein, upon execution of a pinch-inoperation while fixing one point on the second screen out of the twopoints touched over a dividing line indicating a boundary between thefirst and second screens divided by the division unit, the displaycontrol unit deletes the second screen to display one screen based onthe first screen.
 9. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the first display image includes detailed informationabout the image.
 10. An information processing apparatus comprising: adisplay unit configured to display an image; a touch panel configured todetect a touch; a detection unit configured to detect an operation inwhich, while fixing one touched point on the image displayed on thedisplay unit, a touch for enlarging the image is performed; a divisionunit configured to, in response to the detection by the detection unit,divide a display screen of the display unit displaying the image into afirst screen and a second screen; and a display control unit configuredto display in the first screen a first image enlarged in response to thetouch for enlarging the image, and to display in the second screen asecond image which is an unenlarged image including at least the onefixed point.
 11. A method for controlling display of an image displayedon a display unit of an information processing apparatus, the methodcomprising: detecting an operation in which three different points onthe image displayed on the display unit are touched and, while fixingone of the three points, a pinch-out is performed with the remaining twopoints; and displaying on the display unit a first display image whichis a partial and enlarged image of the image including at least thecenter of the pinch-out, and a second display image which is a partialand unenlarged image of the image including at least the one fixedpoint, wherein the control displays side by side the first display imageand the second display image.
 12. A non-transitory computer-executableprogram for controlling display of an image displayed on a display unitaccording to a method comprising: detecting an operation in which threedifferent points on the image displayed on the display unit are touchedand, while fixing one of the three points, a pinch-out is performed withthe remaining two points; and performing control for displaying on thedisplay unit a first display image which is a partial and enlarged imageof the image including at least the center of the pinch-out, and asecond display image which is a partial and unenlarged image of theimage including at least the one fixed point, wherein the controldisplays side by side the first display image and the second displayimage.